2007-10-06 10:55:34 · 24 answers · asked by Pierre N 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
There are a lot of reasons not to declaw cats. Declawing is basically removing the last joint from the toe, similar to how a human would be if he had his fingers lopped off at the top knuckle. It hurts their balance and can make it difficult to walk. Cats who are declawed may also lose their litter training because it is painful to scratch in the litterbox. In addition, cats who are declawed may become more prone to biting if threatened, since they've lost their only other defensive weapon. This is a serious problem, because cat scratches are much less serious and prone to infection than cat bites.
More humane alternatives to declawing are available, and becoming more popular all the time. Soft Paws are claw covers for cats that can be applied every couple of months by a groomer. They cover the claw without removing it, so that the cat doesn't have the pain and trauma of declawing, but the owner still has his carpets and couches in good condition.
2007-10-06 11:02:21 · answer #1 · answered by Cori 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I think it is cruel. I work at a vet clinic, and I have seen first hand what goes into declawing a cat. You are amputating the first digit on all of their toes. When the cats wake up they are Very painful, and confused. And cats can have all kinds of complications that can follow. Their toes can get infected, they can reopen.. And when they go home they don't realize their claws are gone, so they try to jump up on something, can't get a grip, then fall down.
There are so many alternatives to declawing. You can teach your cat to use a scratch post, rather than the carpet or furniture. This works very well. My two cats are not declawed, they have a scratch post, and they don't even touch anything else with their claws. There is also a product called soft paws that works well. They are hard rubber caps that go over the cats nails so they can't do any damage. You usually only need to use these while they are kittens.
Someone else also made a good point. When a cat is declawed they are left defenseless. If the cat ever got outside, he wouldn't be able to defend himself from other animals.
2007-10-06 18:03:44 · answer #2 · answered by Stark 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, how'd you feel about having your fingers cut off at the first knuckle so that your fingernails wouldn't need to be cut. That's basically what declawing is.
As for my opinion, I guess I'd rather be a declawed cat than a euthanized cat. But declawing should really be a "last resort" type of procedure. Again, in my opinion.
2007-10-06 18:01:38 · answer #3 · answered by Jas 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would be your choice to have your cat declawed. I had my cat declawed because of good reasons and I also was told by the vet to have it done. I would not do it again because I would not want a cat to go throught it and I would try to train it not to scratch. Why I had it done because she is very stubborn.
2007-10-06 18:07:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Shamrle. What's with human's thinking it's okay to modify everything on the planet to serve our wants and desires, including other life?
Anyway, taking away a cat's claws all but ensures said cat wont live more than five minutes in the outside world with no way defend itself against predators.
I adopted a declawed cat, happy that she wouldn't ruin my furniture. But I still had to buy a scratching post for her cause she still paws at furniture as if she still had claws. I feel bad for her as I watch her try to scratch the post knowing something's missing.
2007-10-06 18:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by BNW88 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In ignorance, I had my cats declawed. The vet did not explain that he was essentially going to amputate the first phalange of each toe. I don't know what I thought declawing meant, but it was not that. I swear to God, I felt so bad. The cats got over it, but they have deformed feet.
2007-10-06 18:06:25 · answer #6 · answered by horsinround2do 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think it's cruel and totally unnecessary. Millions of us in countries where declawing is illegal manage to train our cats to have claw manners. All it costs is time and patience.
You can't declaw with love.
2007-10-06 18:19:50 · answer #7 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
think about this whilst u r sat down in a chair having your fingernails ripped out with a pair of pliers , !! what is a cat supposed to do to defend itself with , or to have a scratch a worl wide ban on declawing is needed . and if you do not like cats having claws then i suggest u do not own one
2007-10-06 18:15:54 · answer #8 · answered by dawn k 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its totally unacceptable.
Anyone who considers maiming a cat like this for their own selfish reasons shouldn't be even considering owning a cat.
2007-10-06 18:01:20 · answer #9 · answered by Seed Plower 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
that is cats only defense. what would happen in an emergency? he would not even be able to climb a tree! he may be an indoor cat but what happens if he gets out and then a dog spots him you would want him to be able to defend himself right? how would you like it if some on etook your defenses out of love ? think about it
2007-10-06 18:00:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋